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| South Pigadia (Also known as the Mandra): This
is where I stayed from September 6-23. These apartments
are located South of the village of Pigadia Birds seen on the property/perimeter: |
   Above bird is of a Female Red-backed Shrike |
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Ahata (September 8): This area is rocky with conifers and many shrubs located behind the beach. The beach is partial sand and pebbles and is sheltered by rock formations. Kingfishers can be seen flying from one rock formation to another skimming the sea; while Blue Rock Thrushes can be seen on the cliffs. The Kingfishers are all so colorful with deep blue/green backs and a bright orange breast. When these little jewels are flying/skimming the ocean in the sunlight, they look iridescent with rainbow colors. If you like the North American Belted Kingfisher you would think that you are in heaven when you see the Common Kingfisher! Common Raven (2 examples) Common Kingfisher (4 examples) Blue Rock Thrush (1 example) Willow Warbler (1 example) Garden Warbler (2 examples) Sardinian Warbler (many examples)  Above picture is of a Willow Warbler. |
Amopi (September 9): Amopi has 3 beaches and the picture to the right is of the "Mikri Amopi" which means "small Amopi". Among the fig trees, you will find Garden Warblers and other warblers such as Willows and Sardinians. Peregrine Falcon - (1 example on road to
Amopi/Menetes) |
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| Ayios Nikolaos (September 11): Ayios Nikolaos is very small and the road was rough with alot of curves, but well worth the beautiful scenery.  A Crested Lark was found on the side of the dirt road on the way back from Ayios Nikolaos. Woodchat Shrike - (1 example) Blue Rock Thrush - (2 examples) Crested Lark - (1 example) |
Apella (September 14): Oh, my favoriate place! This beach is all so quiet, small white pebbles, very few people and has one restaurant (about a 10 minute walk) where a White Wagtail was seen. Behind the beach is a rocky path that leads you into areas of pines and shrubs. The only sounds I heard on this path are Sardinian Warblers.  Common Tern (1 example seen between Kyra Panagia and Apella) Common Raven (3 examples) Sardinian Warbler (5 examples) White Wagtail (1 example) European Shag (1 example) Common Kingfisher (2 examples)  Bird: White Wagtail |
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Kyra Panagia (September 15): When looking at this area from at boat out at sea, it looks as though the buildings were built in rock. On the road to Kyra Panagia, I have never seen such beautiful scenery.  Garden Warbler - (1 example) Sardinian Warbler - (6 examples) Willow Warbler - (2 examples) Olivaceous Warbler - (1 example) Common Raven - (2 examples) Blue Rock Thrush - (3 examples) Greater Short-toed Lark - (1 example) |
| Myli Valley (September, 17): This area is west of the village of Pigadia and is known as the Mill Valley for the wind mills that once existed here. There is a river bed, now dry, but flows in Winter and Spring where many water birds such as herons, Glossy Ibis, bitterns, and crakes can be found during these months. Crested Lark - (1 example) Eleonora's Falcon - (1 example in dark form) Sardinian Warbler - (3 examples) Willow Warbler - (1 example) Garden Warbler - (2 examples) Blue Rock Thrush - (2 examples) European Bee-eater - (4 examples) Eurasian Reed-warbler - (1 example) Bonelli's Eagle - (1 example) |
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Diafani/Olympos (September 18): The best way to Diafani and Olympos is by boat. On the way from Pigadia to Diafani, Shags were seen.  Above Bird: European Shag The Village of Olympos is located on the top of the mountain and this village still preserves the island's costume and customs. On the bus trip from Diafani to Olympos when you reach to top of the mountain, it is absolutely breathtaking. There is only 1 road to this village. Within the village, there are steps and the people use donkeys/mules to haul goods and building supplies. The women wear tall/heavy leather boots to protect them from the phygana (low growing prickly plants).  European Shag (2 seen on boat trip to Diafani) Common Raven (1 example) Blue Rock Thrush (1 example) Crested Lark (1 example) Greater Short-toed Lark (1 example) |
| Lefkos (September 20): Three (3) Mallards were found swimming at the bay where fishermen fish. Behind the beach, which is where this picture of the bay was taken, there are trees and a cement wall where I sat and observed the warblers. A Woodchat Shrike was sitting on a telephone wire on the way down to the sea. Woodchat Shrike - (1 example) Sardinian Warbler - (3 examples) Willow Warbler - (2 examples) Crested Lark - (1 example) Mallard - (3 examples) Whinchat - (1 example) |
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| Other locations briefly visited: Chukar - (flock of 10+ taking low-heavy flight on 9-15 on road to Ayios Georgious) European Bee-eater - (2 examples seen on outskirts of Aperi on 9-20) |
 Picture from road to Ayios Georgious (St. George) Monastery  Ayios Georgious (St. George) Monastery |
Comments:
I did not witness any bird hunting, but did see 2 European
Goldfinches in a cage at the Aquaella Cafe in Pigadia. When I
approached the cafe owner about the birds, he was not interested
in talking to me and walked away!
Every day moths (approx. 1" of unknown species) were seen feeding on the
Bougainvillea flowers and on the evening of September 16, a
"hummingbird moth" (for lack of common/scientific name)
the size of a Ruby-throat Hummingbird was seen drawing nectar
from flowers of a 4-O'Clock bush. If anyone knows the common/scientific name of these moths, please send me email at birdnature@birdnature.com. Every evening between the hours
of 9:30PM and 11:15PM, we witnessed up to 7 meteorites.
I was somewhat disappointed with the small number of species that
were seen, but considering the size of the island, it's location,
time of year, and habitats, the birds (resident or passing
migrant) found optimal conditions and niches on the island.
Systematic List of Birds Observed (Sibley & Monroe,
1990, includes changes from the 1993 Supplement):
